Reinforced wall structure



Jan. 26, 1965 M. M; ROSENFELD REINFORCED WALL STRUCTURE Filed NOV. 21, 1961 INVENTOR.

MORTON M. ROSENFELD ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,166,873 REINFORCED WALL STRUCTURE Morton M. Rosenfeld, Mount Vernon, N.Y. (271 Madison Ave, New York, N.Y.) Filed Nov. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 153,348 4 Claims. (Cl. 50-373) This invention relates to a reinforced wall structure, and more particularly, to a wall structure which is reinforced internally by members which assist in the orientation and proper placement of overlapping blocks forming the wall.

There is a need for a reinforced wall structure wherein a wall formed by successive courses of blocks is internally reinforced by rods and/ or tubes which are secured to the blocks by mortar. The mortar may be conventional cement mortar and preferably is an epoxy mortar. Epoxy mortar may be dispensed onto the faces of the blocks from a cartridge gun or the like thereby eliminating the necessity for mixing cement, the need and use for trowels, etc. The epoxy mortar may be utilized to secured adjacent successive courses which are disposed one above the other as well as the juxtaposed end faces of blocks in the same course.

In accordance with the present invention, the blocks are provided with holes extending therethrough between top and bottom faces. The blocks are superimposed in overlapping relation with mortar therebetween. The courses of blocks are vertically reinforced and orientated by means of interconnected rods or tubes which are interconnected with each other in the manner of a male and female coupling. The rods are orientated with respect to the holes within which they are disposed so that the rods in line with one another. Mortar is disposed around the rods and between juxtaposed mating ends of the rods. The female end of the rod is perforated so that mortar may more rigidly bond the rods to the blocks. The rods are externally grooved to assist in bonding the rods to the blocks. In this manner, a rigid vertical latticework may be provided to interally reinforce the wall structure.

A perforated strip of material is preferably provided in the layer of mortar between successive adjacent courses. The perforated strip is provided with large holes through which the rods extend. The rods have a length so that their ends terminate at a point substantially equidistant the top and bottom faces of blocks in adjacent successive courses. The perforated strip is also provided with a plurality of perforations so that the mortar between adjacent successive courses may bond the exposed portion of the course on which the strip is positioned. In this manner, a horizontal latticework is provided with the horizontal latticework being interconnected with the vertical latticework.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the male and female coupling between juxtaposed ends of the rods is provided by utilizing cylindrical rods having a tapered portion on one end and a tapered recess on the other end. In another embodiment of the present invention, the rods are rectangular in transverse cross-section with a tongue on one end and a mating groove on the other end.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel wall structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wall structure formed from overlapping blocks and internally reinforced by rigid latticework so that the Wall structure may be utilized in a bombshelter, air raid shelter, etc.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wall structure wherein overlapping blocks are reinforced by members having a male and female coupling.

3,166,873 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wall structure which is vertically and horizontally reinforced by providing perforated members interconnected with each other and bonded to the blocks by mortar.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel wall structure wherein blocks are held together by an epoxy resin and internally reinforced by interconnected vertical and/ or horizontal members.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a wall partly in section.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of an upright rod, 2. portion of a horizontal strip and a portion of a block.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 an elevational view of a portion of a wall structure designated generally as 10.

The wall structure 10 includes a plurality of blocks 12 disposed in overlapping relation and is formed by a plurality of successive courses disposed one above the other. A layer of mortar 14 is disposed between adjacent successive courses and between juxtaposed end faces of blocks in the same course. While the mortar 14 may be a conventional cement mortar, it is preferably an epoxy mortar. The epoxy mortar may be dispensed from a caulking gun and has the consistency of toothpaste. A mastic mortar such as epoxy mortar may be dispensed more readily and is inflammable. A thinner layer of epoxy mortar may be utilized as compared with the thickness of the layer of mortar which must be utilized when the mortar is cement-like in nature. Thus, the layer of epoxy mortar 14 may have a thickness of approximately oneeighth to one-quarter of an inch.

Each of the blocks 12 of the holes 16 and 18 are disposed at a point so that they are spaced from the adjacent end of the blocks by a distance corresponding to approximately one-fourth the length of the block. The center line of the holes 16 and 118 are also disposed so that they are substantially equidistant from the side faces of the blocks 12. The blocks 12 may be made from conventional material such as cement, cinders, etc.

A means is provided to vertically reinforce the wall structure 10. Such means includes a plurality of discrete rods and/or tubes 20. The rods 20 are provided with a conical tapered end portion 22 at one end and a conical mating recess 24 at the other end. The tapered end portion 22 may be referred to hereinafter as a male portion While the recess 24 may be referred to hereinafter as a female portion. A plurality of mortar passages 26 and 28 extend from the recess 24 to the periphery of the rod 20. The purposes of these passages will be made clear hereinafter. The rods 20 are provided with top guide projections 30 and bottom guide projections 32. The projections 39 and 32 engage the surfaces of the walls defining the holes 16 and 18 thereby positioning the rods 29 one above the other so as to assure that the male portion will enter the female portion. Hence, all of the rods in a row will be in line with each other.

Each rod 20 is provided with grooves 34, 36 and 38 at spaced points therealon-g. The grooves 34, 36 and 38 provide gripping surfaces for the mortar which is disposed within the holes 16 and 18 around the rods 20.

are provided with a pair of holes 16 and 18 extending therethrough. The center line In this manner, the epoxy mortar within the holes in and 18 will more rigidly bond the rods to the blocks 12. A greater or lesser number of such grooves may be provided as desired. The rods 20 may be made from any one 'ofa variety of materials and may be hollow if desired. Thus, the rods 28 may be made of wood, plastic, nietal alloys, etc. For high strength, metal rods 26 are preferred.

A means is provided to horizontally reinforce the wall structure 10. Such means includes a strip 4% which is preferably made from metal although it may be made from other materials. The strip 40 is provided with a plurality of perforations 42 extending therethrough at random along its length. The strip 49 is also provided with a plurality of holes 44 at spaced points therealong. The spacing of the holes 44 corresponds with the spacing of the holes 16 and 18 in the wall structure in. The diameter of the holes 44 is of substantially the same size asthe holes 16 and 18. The width of the strip 40 is preferably less than the width of the blocks 12. The thickness of the strip 40 is preferably thinner than the thickn'es of the layer of mortar 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The wall structure 10 is constructed as follows:

The manner for constructing the Wall structure 1% is convention except as will be pointed out hereinafter. After the first course is laid, a layer of mortar 14 is provided on top of the blocks by use of a calking gun or the like. The first course may be secured to the door or supporting surface by a rod it) which partially enters the floor or supporting surface. In this manner, the fa mare endportion of each rod 2% will be disposed at a point substantially equidistant the top and bottom faces of the blocks in the first course. Thereafter, a rod 26 will havoits male end portion covered with mortar and disposed in each of the holes 16 and 18. The epoxy mortar maybe applied to the male end portion of the rods 20 by dipping, squirting with a gun, etc. The rods 29 are forced into the holes 16 and 18 until the male end portion enters the female end portion with a layer of mortar between the juxtaposed end surfaces. Sufficient mortar will be applied so that such mortar will be disposed Within the passages 26 and 28 as Well as around the rods 20 The rods 20 will be maintained in line with each other by means of the guide projections 36 and 32.

Since the male and female end portions are conically tapered, the rods 20 need not be oriented with respect to each other.

Sufficient more; will be dispensed within the holes in and till the same. Thereafter, the strip ltl will be positioned so that the projecting rods 20 extend through the holes 44 of thestrip 4h. Thereafter, a layer of mortar 14 will be dispensed onto the blocks and over the strip 40. Some of the mortar will enter the perforations 42. Thereafter, a second course of blocks is positioned so that the projecting upright rods 20 enter the holes 15 and 18 on overlapping blocks. If desired, the blocks need not be "overlapping but may be in line with each other. A wall'structure having overlapping blocks is preferred because. of the increased strength. When the secondcourse of blocks is properly positioned, the layer of mortar between the courses will bond the edges of the blocks together, will bond the strip 43 to the blocks in the course. thereabove, and will bond the blocks together by way ofthe perforations 42. The upright projecting rods facilitate the proper placement and orientation of the blocks of the second course with respect to the blocks of the first coursethereby enabling an unskilled person to rapidly construct a straight Wall. The mortar around the rods within the grooves 34, 36 and 38 and in the passages 26 and 28 will rigidly bond the rods to the blocks 12.

A third course is superimposed over the second course in the same manner as described above. This process is repeated until a wall structure having the desired height has been obtained.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 3. The embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3 is identical with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 except as will be made clear hereinafter. The embodiment in FIGURE 3 differs from the embodiment in FIGURES l and 2 by utilizing rods 2d which are rectangular in transverse cross-section. The rods 2% are provided with a tongue 46 on one end and a groove 48 on the other end. The groove 48 is designed to matingly receive the tongue 46. Mortar passages 25 and 2-8 extend from the groove 48 to the outer peripheral surface of the rod 20'.

Each of the rods 24? are provided with peripheral grooves 34', 36' and 38' at spaced points therealong. The groves 34, 36' and 38' perform the identical function as the groves 34, 35 and 38. The rod 26 is of suihcient size so that the corners thereof engage the inner peripheral surface of the holes 44 in the strip 4% as Well as the inner peripheral surface of the holes 16 and 18. In this manner, the rods 23 will be orientated with respect to each other so that the groove 48 on one rod will be disposed so as to receive the tongue 46 on another rod. Otherwise, the Wall structure of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3 is identical with the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES l and 2. p

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A reinforced wall comprising blocks disposed in overlapping relation in successive vertical courses, a layer of mortar between adjacent successive courses and juxtaposed end faces of blocks in the same course, each block having at least one hole extending between top and bottom faces thereof, said holes being disposed in aligned relationship, a plurality of reinforcement rods, each rod being disposed Within aligned holes in said blocks, each rod having a length so that its ends terminate at a point substantially equidistant from the top and bottom faces of said blocks, juxaposed ends of said rods being interconnected with a male and female coupling, said coupling comprising a. male conical portion adjacent the lower end of each rod and a female conical recess ad- ,iacent the upper end of each rod, means for assuring alignment between the juxtaposed ends of said rods, said last-mentioned means including spaced guide projections on the outer peripheral surface of said rods for taking contact with the surface defining the holes in said blocks, the length of said projections being substantiall less than the length of said rods, passages extending between said female conical recesses and the outer periphery of said rods, and a plurality of space coaxial peripheral grooves on the outer surface of said rods.

2. A Wall in accordance with claim 1 wherein a strip of reinforcement material is disposed between adjacent successive courses, said strip having a plurality of perforations lherethrough, said strip also having holes extending therethrough, and each of said rods extending through a hole in said strip.

3. A reinforced Wall comprising blocks disposed in overlapping relation between successiv vertical courses, a layer of mortar between adjacent successive courses and juxtaposed end faces of blocks in the same course, each block having at least one hole extending between top and bottom faces thereof, said holes being disposed in aligned relationship, a plurality of rectangular reinforcement rods, each rod being disposed within aligned holes in said blocks, each rod having a length so that its ends terminate at a point substantially equidistant from top and bottom faces of said blocks, the transverse crosssectional area of said rods being of such size that the corners of said rod engage the inner peripheral surface of said holes, juxtaposed ends of said rods being interconnected with a. male and female coupling, said coupling comprising a tongue on the lower end of each rod and a groove on the upper end of each rod, passages extending between said grooves on the outer periphery of said rods, and a plurality of spaced coaxial peripheral grooves on the outer surface of said rods.

4. A wall in accordance with claim 3 wherein a strip of reinforcement material is disposed between adjacent successive courses, said strip having a plurality of per forations therethrough, said strip also having holes extending therethrough, each of said rods extending through a hole in said strip, and the corners of each said rod engaging the inner peripheral surface of said holes in said strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/96 Geraerdts 50-443 6/ 98 Bennett 50-372 8/16 Weston 50-103 9/ 19 Isbester 50-346 6/31 Poe 166-241 4/ Crowell 166-241 7/3 5 Ginder -443 6/44 Riches 50-357 2/53 Levy 50-346 7/60 Daniel.

FOREIGN PATENTS 12/ 19 France.

3/33 France.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Examiner. 

1. A REINFORCED WALL COMPRISING BLOCKS DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION IN SUCCESSIVE VERTICAL COURSES, A LAYER OF MOTAR BETWEEN ADJACENT SUCCESSIVE COURSES AND JUXTAPOSED END FACES OF BLOCKS IN THE SAME COURSE, EACH BLOCK HAVING AT LEAST ONE HOLE EXTENDING BETWEEN TOP AND BOTTOM FACES THEREOF, SAID HOLES BEING DISPOSED IN ALIGNED RELATIONSHIP, A PLURALITY OF REINFORCEMENT RODS, EACH ROD BEING DISPOSED WITHIN ALIGNED HOLES IN SAID BLOCKS, EACH ROD HAVING A LENGTH SO THAT ITS ENDS TERMINATE AT A POINT SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIDISTANT FROM THE TOP AND BOTTOM FACES OF SAID BLOCKS, JUXTAPOSED ENDS OF SAID RODS BEING INTERCONNECTED WITH A MALE AND FEMALE COUPLING, SAID COUPLING COMPRISING A MALE CONICAL PORTION ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF EACH ROD AND A FEMALE CONICAL RECESS ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF EACH ROD, MEANS FOR ASSURING ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE JUXTAPOSED ENDS OF SAID RODS, SAID LAST-MENTIONED MEANS INCLUDING SPACED GUIDE PROJECTIONS ON THE OUTER PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF SAID RODS FOR FOR MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE DEFINING THE HOLES IN SAID BLOCKS, THE LENGTH OF SAID PROJECTIONS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF SAID RODS, PASSAGES EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FEMALE CONICAL RECESSES AND THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID RODS, AND A PLURALITY OF SPACE COAXIAL PERIPHERAL GROOVES ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID RODS. 